Greenhouse Tomato Trials

New Product Development, NatureSweet
Problem:
Using historial weather data from an Arizona greenhouse site, Heliospectra modeled the potential lost yield and revenue due to seasonal variations in natural daylight. The model demonstrates there are more than 200 days each year that the Willcox greenhouses did not reach the Daily Light Integral (DLI) target.

And in high temperature, high light regions similar to the southwest region of the United States, LEDs will often be the only viable solution for humidty and temperature controls inside a greenhouse.

Solution:
Heliospectra delivered and installed adjustable spectrum ELIXIA LEDs with software control to monitor, schedule and reach daily DLI targets inside one of the Willcox greenhouses for two seasons of production trials.

Results:

• Faster clusters and root development
• Thicker stem diameter and more fruits per truss
• 20% decrease in labor hours for pruning
• Consistent brix and firmness post-harvest
• Every 1% increase in DLI = a 2.6% increase in yield
• Up to 102% increase in fruit yield

NS Brands, Ltd.® is the single source solution for premium, greenhouse grown vegetables in North America. Always vine-nurtured and hand-picked at the peak of freshness, only NS Brands, Ltd. vegetables guarantee great taste all year round. Carefully grown, harvested and packaged by more than 9,500 full-time Associates, their produce is sold at major grocers, mass retailers, club stores and food service operators in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Known for award-winning quality and innovative packaging, NS Brands, Ltd. ® is also committed to having a positive social, environmental and economic impact on the communities in which they operate.